As Marin County Health and Human Services eases restrictions in the public health order, College of Marin (COM) continues to develop and adapt protocols to best protect our campus community. We encourage all work that can be done remotely to continue and employees to come on campus only when absolutely necessary. All employees still must have prior permission of their supervisor to come to either campus.
Please read this message for important information regarding
- mandatory symptom screening prior to each visit to campus, and check-in/check-out protocols;
- facility/building access and protective measures;
- business operations;
- COVID-19 symptoms, potential exposure, or diagnosis; and
- training and resources.
As required by public health orders, COM is implementing new safety procedures and protocols outlined in the May 27 Site-Specific Protection Plan (SPP). Due to the constantly evolving nature of county- and state-wide guidance in response to the pandemic, these procedures and protocols, as well as those in COM’s SPP, are subject to change. Check the COVID-19 Updates and Resources page for current information.
When on campus, employees are expected to follow public health guidelines for physical distancing, face covering, and hygiene, plus additional measures as noted below.
- Perform a daily symptom screening online before coming to campus.
- Do not come to work if you are feeling sick; including if you have a frequent cough, fever, difficulty breathing, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, recent loss of taste or smell, or if you or someone you live with have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
- Practice required physical distancing (six feet or more).
- Enter and exit the building at the entrance closest to your workspace.
- Wear a face covering when near others and while inside buildings.
(Face coverings for employees are available from the Campus Police Department in Kentfield if you choose not to wear your own.) - Practice frequent handwashing with soap and water—including scrubbing with soap for at least 20 seconds—after entering a building, regularly throughout the day, and before exiting a building.
MANDATORY SYMPTOM SCREENING AND CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT PROTOCOLS
Prior to each campus visit, all COM employees are required to perform and pass the symptom screening online in addition to submitting the Employee on Campus During Closure Form.
- Do not come to work if you are feeling sick, including if you have a frequent cough, fever, difficulty breathing, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, recent loss of taste or smell, or if you or someone you live with have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
- Please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for more information on symptoms and what to do if you are sick: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html. It is very important to seek medical attention if your symptoms become severe, including but not limited to, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, or bluish lips or face.
- Adults age 65 and older and people with certain underlying health conditions are at higher risk for severe illness. Please review information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at https://www.cdc.gov/aging/covid19-guidance.html and https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/index.html. If you have any questions about your own circumstances, we recommend you speak with your medical provider.
Check-in/Check-out Protocols
- Submit the Employee on Campus During Closure Form and perform symptom screening online each time before you come to campus.
- Enter and exit through your assigned entrance.
- Everyone must wear face coverings while inside buildings, except when working alone in a private office.
- Wipe down surfaces you touch on your way in, and disinfect your workspace.
- Wash hands with soap and water—including scrubbing with soap for at least 20 seconds—upon arrival, regularly throughout the day, and before exiting a building.
- Disinfect your workspace and wipe down surfaces you touch on the way out.
- If you went to areas other than those submitted on the form, submit those areas on a new Employee on Campus During Closure Form before leaving campus.
BUILDING ACCESS AND PROTECTIVE MEASURES
Campus Buildings are Closed to the Public
Only authorized employees and outside essential workers providing necessary services that are prescheduled (e.g., contractors, copy machine technicians) are allowed inside campus buildings. There should be no in-person meetings until further notice, as the College has transitioned to conducting regular meetings online.
Modified Building Hours
Buildings are open to authorized employees Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Entrances
Please follow the signage and use the designated entrance to buildings and/or your work area. If you have a key fob, it may be programmed to allow access only through the designated entry points. If your usual point of entry is locked, it may be an unapproved entrance, look for another approved point of entry that is open. Submit a SchoolDude request if you have access issues with your fob.
Face Coverings
Everyone must wear face coverings while inside buildings, except when working alone in a private office.
- Face coverings do not protect the wearer and are not personal protective equipment (PPE). Face coverings may be of any material, as long as they cover the nose and mouth.
- Face coverings can help protect people near the wearer, but do not replace the need for physical distancing and frequent handwashing.
- It is important to wash or sanitize hands before and after using or adjusting face coverings.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Face coverings should be washed after each shift (if material is washable).
- Face coverings for employees are available from the Campus Police Department in Kentfield if they choose not to wear their own. Because of limited supplies, employees are encouraged to bring their own face coverings.
Office/Work Areas
Some employees may be assigned rotating shifts to allow for physical distancing within offices and departments. Some furniture and/or workstations may be moved or removed to maintain the six foot physical distancing requirement.
Restrooms
Please use the restroom closest to your work area.
Wipe down handles and knobs before and after use.
Break Rooms
Please follow posted maximum occupancy limits, maintain physical distancing, and wipe down knobs and handles before and after use.
Occupancy Limits
Break rooms, shared office/department areas, and elevators will have occupancy signs posted.
Shared spaces will have only enough chairs and tables for the maximum capacity that allows for physical distancing. Any additional furniture remaining in the space should be clearly identified as not for use.
Signage
The following signage will be posted on campus:
- QR Code for symptom screening online
- Designated entrances/exits and wayfinding
- Healthy Marin reminders
- Handwashing and other hygiene etiquette
- Occupancy limits
BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Digital Business Processes and Electronic Signatures
Avoid routing paper from one person to the next. Use digital business processes, including digital approval and signatures, whenever possible.
If you need help digitizing a business process, please submit a support ticket to the IT Department through the COM Service Desk in the MyCOM Portal.
USPS Mail, Intercampus Mail, Shipping, and Receiving
- USPS and intercampus mail will be processed twice a week, Tuesday and Thursday. Incoming and outgoing mail will be processed and distributed on those days as well.
- The Kentfield Campus mailroom is now located in Academic Center, room 256.
- The courier run and intercampus mail between the Kentfield and Indian Valley Campuses will be twice a week only, on Tuesday and Thursday.
- Receiving for all shipments, packages, and deliveries will be Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- If you require assistance on other days, please contact Annie Ricciuti.
COVID-19 SYMPTOMS, POTENTIAL EXPOSURE, OR DIAGNOSIS
Allergies, Self-Monitoring, Compassion, and Support
Many people experience seasonal allergies throughout the year that can cause sneezing, coughing, runny nose, and other symptoms like those for COVID-19. Acknowledging that now we may be on heightened alert, we need to care for one another and trust each other to self-monitor and stay home if we are feeling sick. If a coworker is experiencing seasonal allergies, please be compassionate and supportive.
Response to Symptoms, Potential Exposure, or Confirmed Positive COVID-19 Test
Employees who develop symptoms like frequent cough, fever, difficulty breathing, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, recent loss of taste or smell should contact their primary care physician, and follow COM Human Resources and department protocols for reporting sickness.
If an employee is diagnosed with COVID-19, Marin County Public Health will provide assistance in the assessment of potential worksite exposures, and any recommended testing, quarantine, or isolation instructions. Sickness should be reported to your supervisor. Additionally, anyone can call Marin County Public Health at (415) 473-7191 if a suspected exposure has occurred.
COM PROHIBITS UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT
It is important that we all work actively to create a positive and supportive academic and work environment.
College of Marin is committed to providing an academic and work environment that respects the dignity of individuals and groups, and is free from unlawful harassment and discrimination. The College prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of age, ancestry, color, religious creed, Family and Medical Care Leave, disability, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, national origin, race, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation, and will not tolerate such conduct in the academic environment or workplace. The College further prohibits any retaliation against a person for making a complaint about discrimination or harassment, participating in an investigation, or representing or serving as an advocate for an alleged victim or respondent.
KEY DOCUMENTS AND RESOURCES
- www.MarinRecovers.org
- State of California Office Workplace Guidance
- CDC Guidance for Colleges, Universities, and Higher Learning
- March 14, 2020 Environmental Health Advisory for Cleaning Community Spaces
- Reminders for Using Disinfectants at Schools and Childcare Centers
- CDC Environmental Cleaning and Disinfecting Recommendations